South Africa Visa
Welcome to the World’s guiding specialists on South African immigration.
Our expert group of registered immigration advisers are on hand to provide you with your FREE South African Immigration interview today.
Our objective is to secure you the South African visa most suitable to your demands in the rapidest and most impressive way. Our business offices in Canada, South Africa and across the globe mean we are the foremost choice for South African immigration matters.
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Short Stay South African Visas
South African Visitor Visa
South African visitor visas are intended for those who wish to visit the country as a tourist or to visit family and friends. The visitor’s visa or the tourist visas are granted for a maximum period of three months after which the candidate will be obliged to return to their country of residence. Generally a South African visit visa does not permit its holder to work in South Africa, studying is permitted for short courses which do not exceed the visa’s 3 month duration.
Studying in South Africa – Applying for a South African Study Permit
The South African study visa is awarded for the duration of the course concerned and allows an applicant to temporarily live and study in South Africa. A South African study visa is not intended as a route to permanent immigration to South Africa, however, an applicant’s spouse and/or dependents may join them in the country and the main applicant may work in South Africa in a part time position for up to 20 hours per week.
Working in South Africa – Applying for a South African Work Permit
Candidates who wish to live and work in South Africa will need to obtain South African work permits which allow their holders to perform a specific job for a named South African employer. In South Africa, work permit applications are employer based and depend upon a candidate having a firm offer of employment. South African work permits are not intended for permanent residency however those candidates who spend five years or more in the country under a work permit visa status may apply for permanent settlement.
Family Immigration Services – Spouse Immigration and Family Visas
Moving to South Africa on a temporary or permanent basis is available through a family based route where an applicant is the spouse or life partner of an existing South African citizen or South African permanent resident. Family immigration is also permitted for other relatives within the first or second degree of kinship, depending on whether they are applying for temporary or permanent residence.
South African Retirement Permit
Retiring in South Africa is becoming a popular option for many and candidates under this scheme will be awarded the retirement visa on a temporary or permanent basis in South Africa. Candidates who hold this visa may decide to reside in the country continuously or to live on a seasonal basis. Generally temporary retirement visa, issued for four years, may be extended in increments of four years as required.
Temporary or Permanent Residence in South Africa?
Many types of visas for South Africa can be issued as either a temporary or permanent permit and there are different advantages to each visa. A temporary residence permit can be processed a lot quicker than an application for permanent residence, and a common practice is to immigrate to South Africa on a temporary residence permanent initially, before applying within the country for the permanent equivalent. The main advantage of a permanent residence is that permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights and privileges afforded to South African citizens, with some exceptions such as the right to vote.
Global Visas is a leading immigration and visa agencies with an eclectic and qualified team of immigration experts and lawyers. If you would like to find out if you qualify for any of the abovementioned visas, take our online assessment now and a consultant will be in touch with you.
